With over 90 of the abducted Chibok school girls still in captivity after 10 years, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the Nigerian government to intensify efforts for the release of the girls.
The association made the call in a statement by its Director of Education, Youth and Women, Rev. Ozumba Emmanuel, on April 13, ahead of the 10th anniversary of the mass abduction.
CAN is the umbrella body of all Christians in Nigeria.
On April 14, 2014, Islamic terrorists invaded the Government Girls Secondary School in Borno State, North East Nigeria and abducted 276 female students of the school.
Most of the abductees are Christians.
Over 50 reportedly escaped during the incident by jumping out of the truck they were being transported in.
Also, while some escaped from captivity thereafter, the Nigeria military rescued others at different times. Reports also indicated that some of the abductees have died or married off to terrorist commanders. About 21 of the girls returned with 34 children.
The incident occurred during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“We call on the government to mobilise all available resources, engage relevant security agencies, and collaborate with international partners to secure the release of the remaining Chibok girls without delay.
“This is not only a matter of national importance but also a test of our commitment to upholding the rights and safety of our citizens, particularly the most vulnerable among us.
“It is our duty as a nation to ensure their safe return and to bring an end to the anguish and suffering endured by these innocent young girls and their families,” CAN said.
The association said it is in solidarity with the families and loved ones of the Chibok girls, who have endured 10 year of captivity, adding that “the case of the Chibok girls cannot be swept under the carpet, as it represents a horrific tragedy that has left an indelible mark on the nation’s conscience.”
It further noted that it deeply felt the pain and anguish the parents of the girls go through, saying it cannot remain silent while their children remain captives in the hands of terrorists.
It said, “The pain and anguish felt by their parents, who have endured sleepless nights filled with hopelessness, are deeply felt by CAN. We cannot remain silent while their children remain in captivity, yearning for freedom and reunion with their families.”
The association also appealed to the international community, humanitarian organisations and well-meaning persons to join hand in canvassing the release of the girls.
“Together, we can amplify our voices and exert greater pressure on the abductors to bring an end to this prolonged ordeal.
“CAN remains resolute in its commitment to seeking justice and ensuring the safe return of the Chibok girls. We will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders and utilise all available avenues to shed light on their plight and secure their release.
The Christian body called on Nigerians “to stand united, lend their voices, and demand immediate government action. Let us show our unwavering support for the families of the Chibok girls and demonstrate our collective determination to bring them back home to reunite with their families.”
Chibok Community disappointed by governments’ inaction
Meanwhile, the Kibaku (Chibok) Area Development Association (KADA), has said 82 of the girls are still missing 10 years after they were taken away by the terrorists.
KADA President, Dauda Iliya, disclosed this during the 10th year commemoration of the #BringBackOurGirls# (BBOG) campaign in Abuja on Sunday April 14.
Iliya blamed the situation on the inaction of both the Nigerian and Borno State governments.
He said 194 abductees have so far returned and urged the authorities to brace up and offer help to the families whose children are not back.
“We, the Kibaku, are deeply disappointed with the pervasive failure by successive governments since 2014 to rescue all our daughters for a decade; and the obvious lack of interest by successive governments in bringing the matter of insecurity and banditry in the North East, especially Chibok land, to an end.
“The saddest part for us as a people in this saga is that the official narrative from the Borno State government seems to always take precedence, the centre stage and most believed and many times even amplified by some sections of the media without fact-checking, rather than the objective and verifiable truth as expressed by the parents as well as the community and other interested parties involved.
“Even our daughters that escaped within the last three years, until very recently, have been secretly kept in a so-called ‘transit camp’ in Maiduguri along with the Boko Haram terrorists. Following the persistence and insistence by some of the parents to see their returnee daughters, the government of Borno State under the leadership of Prof Zulum, the Kibaku community hereby seeks answers to the following questions from the BOSG as a matter of urgency.”
Apart from calling for the immediate release of rescued girls to their families, Iliya made some other demands. They include a formal apology from the Borno government for the unlawful cohabitation of rescued girls with alleged terrorists, enhanced support for girls’ education and well-being, including access to counselling and vocation training and upgrading of Chibok Senior Secondary School to provide better facilities and support for students.
Also speaking, Florence Ozor, the chairperson of the BBOG Strategy Committee, said 48 parents of the kidnapped girls have died without seeing their daughters.
According to her, the parents died of trauma and neglect by the government.
“Today, as we communicate the reality that 48 parents of our abducted girls have passed on with the throbbing pain of not knowing the whereabouts of their daughters, we reiterate our call that the government must live up to its responsibility of returning the #ChibokGirls and all abducted citizens to the rightful homes,” she said.
Mrs Ozor made a series of demands among which are that the Nigerian government should recognise “Parents of Missing #ChibokGirls Association” and a commitment to transparency in rescue operations.
She also called for collaboration with affected families to formulate strategies for closure, alongside the re-designation of the Government Secondary School, Chibok.
She also asked Nigerian and Borno governments to publish an account of all funds appropriated and disbursed for the welfare of the abducted #ChibokGirls and their parents over the last 10 years.
A member of BBOG and former Nigerian Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, asked President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the remaining girls are brought back from captivity.